Sheila Jackson Lee: “Let me add my appreciation to Mr. Upton, Ms. DeGette, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Pallone, and Mr. Green, and I ask the simple…”

“Let me add my appreciation to Mr. Upton, Ms. DeGette, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Pallone, and Mr. Green, and I ask the simple question: When have we had a historic opportunity on the floor of the House to have such a major investment--major investment-- in the lives and health of Americans, quality investment involving a mandatory fund that will open America's labs and put more people in labs and be able to give people relief on some of the issues that we have heard discussed today? I thank Mr. Barton for raising the sadness that comes of parents that cannot find answers. Many of them are my constituency who have children with sickle cell, as we have been attempting to research this disease for many, many years; or the lupus that took advantage of a very active civic leader and caused the hospitalization for months; or this issue of triple negative breast cancer that many people are not aware of. The amendment I have today is to emphasize the importance of outreach to our Historically Black Colleges, Hispanic-Serving, Indian, Native American, and rural colleges. Let me explain for a brief moment the importance of this particular message. Physicians are a gateway to the patient. In short, the Jackson Lee amendment seeks to open up the physician gateway for patients and to researchers. It is to emphasize STEM education.…”